Ole Miss football player passes away

(WMC-TV) - The Ole Miss Rebels are mourning one of their own football players who died in a car accident.

Offensive lineman Park Stevens died Wednesday

In a statement, Coach Hugh Freeze said:

"Our team is hurting tonight with the loss of Park. He was a tremendous young man that was loved by his teammates and coaches, and Rebel Nation will never forget him. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Stevens' family, his friends, our team and all those he touched during his life."

Investigators confirmed Stevens was not wearing a seatbelt when he rear ended the tractor-trailer pulling out along Highway 45. Stevens died on the scene.

"Seeing the support the whole student body has had for him. That's been amazing, I'm sure these people don't know him, but if you play for Ole Miss you're kind of part of the family," said student Caleb Brown.

School officials said Stevens had just transferred to the school in spring from East Central Mississippi Community College.

The 20-year-old Columbus native was not a household name on campus just yet, but players and students alike wasted no time sharing their condolences online.